PROMPTS


Using Podcasts to Teach Argument Writing

blog post #1: Podcast Power: Boosting Listening Skills
blog post #2: Podcast Power: Listening Skills & Curriculum

Task Design Checklist & Sample Prompts

Interesting Writing Prompts - Tumblr



TEXT SETS


Measles:




Gun Control:

Did the Sandy Hook Shooting Prove the Need for More Gun Control?

Overview of the Issue - CNN

Both Sides: Us News & World Report - Debate Club (6 differing viewpoints)
Both Sides: Colorado Doctors Treating Gunshot Victims Differ On Gun Politics (audio)

Infographic - American Gun Facts (pro gun)
Infographic - If Guns Were as Regulated as Cars (anti gun)
Infographic - Gun Shy? A Look at American Public Opinion on Gun Ownership

Rhetoric: "Loaded Words:How Both Sides Are Using Persuasive Rhetoric About Guns" by Simone Pathe, PBS News Hour

Reasoning/Rebuttal: Gun Rights, Part 2 (video)--argument that control advocates have "blood on their hands"
Reasoning/Rebuttal: Debate between Piers Morgan and NRA Representative (video)

Rebuttal: Sandy Hook a Year Later--Our Hopeless Gun Debate by Paul Brandus

A Plethora of Resources: After Newtown, PBS

Lethal Injection Debate:

Is death by lethal injection inhumane?

History of Lethal Injection

__http://nation.time.com/2014/01/15/ohios-lethal-injection-experiment/__
__http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/20/shortage-lethal-drugs-ugly-ohio-execution-re-ignites-death-penalty-debate/__
__http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/capital-punishment-by-lethal-injection/__
__http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0117/Ohio-executes-killer-Was-untested-lethal-injection-cruel-and-unusual__
__http://www.newrepublic.com/article/116213/death-penalty-uses-untested-drugs-lethal-injection__


Rats




Detroit Institute of Art:
Should the DIA have to sell part of its collection to cover the city's bankruptcy debt?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/14/detroit-controversy-art-collection-sale-suburbs__

Opinion piece: sell
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2013/07/sell-your-art-detroit.html

Opinion piece: don’t sell
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/The-immorality-of-using-Detroits-art-to-bail-out-bankrupt-city/30334

Editorial- The Detroit News DIA Deal and Important Step for Detroit’s Future
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140114/OPINION01/301140005/1008/OPINION01/Proposed-DIA-deal-an-important-step-Detroit-s-future

The Fight to Save Detroit’s Art
http://nation.time.com/2014/01/14/the-fight-to-save-detroits-art-museum/

Foundations Aim to Save Pensions in Detroit Crisis
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/14/us/300-million-pledged-to-save-detroits-art-collection.html

Video: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/plan-to-auction-off-detroit-artwork-faces-controversy/


Wolves in the Upper Peninsula:
Was there a wolf problem? If so, was a wolf hunt the best way to deal with it?

Hunt Based on One Farmer’s Claims
http://michiganradio.org/post/foes-say-upcoming-wolf-hunt-based-one-neglectful-farmers-claims

Science Behind the Wolf Hunt
http://michiganradio.org/post/debate-continues-around-science-behind-wolf-hunt

Collection of Articles on the Wolf Huny
http://michiganradio.org/term/gray-wolf

Podcast on Wolf Hunt
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/npr/245475199/controversial-wolf-hunt-opens-in-michigan


Perspectives on Hurricane Katrina:
Did the federal government act negligently in its response to the people of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina?

Citizens of New Orleans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IblL_rXpdu8

President Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QrR0U6xl6g

Reporter and Politician: Anderson Cooper interviewing Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVPlcY4YA-0&feature=related

Spike Lee, filmmaker, When the Levees Broke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dkDF5BXzpU&feature=related